FIFA World Cup opener: Fact file: Brazil v Croatia

Match Facts The host nation has never lost their opening World Cup game, with the 20 previous hosts winning 14 and drawing six of their openers.

Eight of the last 12 opening matches at World Cups have produced one goal or less.

Brazil -Brazil have won their last nine matches, scoring 30 goals and conceding only two.

-Their only defeat in the last 21 games came against Switzerland last August (W16, D4, L1).

-They are unbeaten in 37 matches in Brazil since a home defeat by Paraguay in 2002.

-Brazil have won eight of their last nine World Cup games in the group stages (1 draw). Their last defeat dates back to 23 June 1998 against Norway (1-2).

-A Selecao have won eight of their last nine World Cup games in the group stages (1 draw). Their last defeat dates back to 23 June 1998 against Norway (1-2).

-Brazil are taking part in their 20th World Cup. They are the only team to have taken part in every single tournament.

-Brazil’s one previous tournament as hosts saw them defeat fellow 2014 Group A members Mexico 4-0 in their opening game (1950).

-Only six members of the current 23-man squad have World Cup experience.

-Neymar has scored 22 goals in his last 28 international appearances.

Croatia -The first time Croatia qualified since the breakup of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1992. This means Croatia had prevbiously played the World Cup as part of Yugoslavia, which slitted in 1992, but qualified for the first time as Croatia in 1998.

-Croatia is the 2nd debutant after Portugal in 1966 to reach the third place of their first World Cup

-A croatian player Davor Suker won the top scorer in their maiden appearance World Cup in France.

-They are unbeaten in the five matches since Niko Kovac took charge last October, winning three games and drawing two.

-Croatia have only conceded 11 goals in 13 World Cup games (0.85/game). It’s the best ratio among the 32 teams taking part in 2014.

-Croatia lost three matches for the first time in a qualifying campaign during the World Cup preliminary stage.

-They have gone four World Cup matches without a win and only scored in one of those fixtures (a 2-2 draw with Australia in 2006).